Conveyer



L. C. ALLEN July 25, 1933.

CONVEYER Filed Dec. 5, 1930 bwe llaa' Mazzi i .v 5y M Patented July 25, 1933 narran stars rarest rica LavoNr o. ALLEN, or s'aaousa, New -oaiaassrGNoR To THE LAMsoNooMPANY.

or Naw Yoan, .a consola-Arron or ivrassncnusnr'rs coNvnYna Application filedrlecember 5, 1930. Serial No. 500,329.

This invention relates to an improvement in conveyers, and more particularly to conveyer rollers of the free rotating type in which loads are transported by the rotation i loro rs'l ."reir. .le seus of the lle is 'ro Kampl ,tho e -ed in roller rotates. Another type comprises a tubular roller barrel fixed to the shaft by connecting units and rotatable with the shaft,

the ends of the shaft bein@ supported upon d anti-friction bearings. It has Lheretofore been found necessary to disassemble, at least partially, either the rollers or theconveyer frame and other associated mechanisms lsup-` porting the rollers in order to remove or replace the rollers in-lfthe'frame. 4 @bviously such replacements involve considerable work and difficulty, as well as requiring an Vappreciable amount of time. Y,

lt is the obj of this invention t provide a `roller unit comprising a barrel having openings at each end, a shaft or spindle passed through the openings and means connecting the same whereby lthe barrel may be rotated on or with the shaft, which unit can be easily and quickly removed from or replaced in the conveyor frame or support by shifting the shaft or spindle axially and without disturbing or disassembling the roller unit the support or other associated mechanisms.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification, and of the accompanying draw'- ings whichV illustrate a preferred embodi- .rent of this invention by way of example, and in which F ig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a conveyer roller constructed inaccordance with this invention; f Y l lFig. 2 is a sectional view of alpreferred type of an anti-friction bearing unit used in conjunction with the shaft and roller barrel;

and in this embodiment isused the ball bearexplained. The ends 13 and 14 of the shaft Figs. 3 and 4 show in elevation other types of shafts that might be used if desired;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a conveyer with rollers having shafts such as are shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a lconveyer which embodies roller units constructed in accordance with this invention.

. ln the drawing the refer-ence numeral` 1 designates f the barrel of a conveyer roller having integral inturnedheads or ends 2 and 3 to which are firmly secured anti-friction hearingunits 4 and', respectively. Any desired type of bearing units may be' employed,

ing type shown in Fig. 2 having anouter race i G, inner race 7 and balls 8. s

The shaft or spindle'lO, shown in Fig. 1, has a central portion of an enlarged diameter to provide shoulders or bosses 11 and 12 intermediate the race engaging surfaces of the end portions. Y The shoulder 11 is suiiiciently 'spaced from the end 13 to provide for a spring 15 Whose function will behereinafter fully are preferablylbeveled lto facilitate their insertion into the openings ofthe conveyer frame. Although the shaft 10 is here shown as an integral one-piece structure, it is obvious that a shaft having a uniform diameter 80 throughout and provided with collars, pins or abutment members in place of the shoulders 11 and 12 would be an equivalent of the structure shown. j

The portions of the shaft adjacent the ends 85 13 and 14 are each received in the throat of the inner race of the respective bearing units 4 and 5 having a reasonably snug t therein so thatrthe frictional engagement between the contacting surfaces is such as to permit a rel* atively free axial movement ofthe shaftwithoutobjectionable looseness or play.

The coil spring 15fis circumposed about the shaft intermediate the end 13 and the shoulder 11 with one end thereof engaging the shoulder 11 and its other end engaging the inner end of the inner race 7. The spring 15 when thus assembled is normally slightly compressed so that it urges the shaft axially toward the bearing unit 5 and thus maintains 100 il ly slight so as not to affect the operation of the inner races both of which have a little play in the bearing housings, but the pressure exerted should be sufficient to hold the shaft in place by limiting its aXial movement 'toward the bearing 4thus preventing the roller from dislodging from the frame. It is apparent that one function of the shoulder 12 is to limit the aXial movement of the shaft toward the bearing thus to maintain the shaft i. in normal operative position as shown in :Fig: 1.

The ends 13 and 14 are received in suitable openings 17 and 18, respectively, of the uprightflanges 19 and 2O of the conveyor frame. Preferably the outer ends of each of the inner races of the bearing units project so that they are disposed in contiguous relation to the flanges 19 and 2O to limit the lateral or thrust movement of the entire roller'unit and thus assist in preventing the unit from dislodging Afrom' the conveyer frame. Y

In assembling this roller unit, one of the bearing units is first secured to the roller head, preferably the bearing unit 5 to the -head 3, in any suitable manner. The shaft is then guided through the cylindrical passage of the roller and its end 14 inserted in the throat of the inner race of the bearing unit 5. The spring 15 is then circumposed around the shaft intermediate the end `13 vand the shoulder 11, and'finally the bearing unit 4 is slipped over the end l13 of the shaft and firmly secured in a suitable manner to the head 2 of the roller barrel. The roller unitthus assembled is mounted in a frame `by inserting the end 13 ofthe shaft in the opening 17 of the flange 19, as shown by the dot and dash lines of Fig. 1. By depressing the end 14 of the shaft until it is substantially flush with the outer end of the inner race of bearing 5 the end of the roller unit can be guided into the channel between the flanges 19 and 20 until the end 14 registers with the 'opening 18 of the flange 20 whereupon the shaft, due to the reactive thrust of the spring 15, will be forced into the operative position shown by the solid lines inV Fig. 1. y

To remove the roller'from the frame the operation is reversed, 'the end 14 of the shaft being pressed toward the bearing unit rso that it clears the surface of the support 20 adjacent to the bearing 5 to permit the unit to be easily and readily withdrawn'.

It is apparent that the spring 15 normally serves 'to maintain the shaft in proper operative position, and also tends to prevent rotation'of the inner races 'of each Vof the bearing units about the shaftdue to the frictional engagement between the spring and the inner ece of bearing 4 and the frictional engagement between the shoulder 12 and the inner race of bearing 5. This tendency is aided b the frietional engagement between the sha t and each of bearings 4 and 5 which, although slight, is obviously greater than that between the inner and outer races of the ball bearing units. This tendency is further aided by the intermittent engagement between each of t-he outer ends of the inner races and the flanges 19 and 20. Hence, the outer races will rotate freely about the inner races of each of the bearing units, and the practical result of this construction is the same as though each of the inner races had a pressed or driven fit on the shaft 10.

This same result'could, of course, be positively insured by using keys between the shaft andthe inner races of the bearing units without impairing or in any way interfering with either the operation of the unit or the purposes forwhich the same was designed. Gbviously it would be possible vto do awa-y with the spring by using removable pins passed through the inner 'races into the shaft, or a thrust collar secured to the shaft adjacent to the end 14, or other equivalent means whereby the axial movement of the shaft toward the bearing unit 4 would be limited and the shaft held in proper operative position. Such a substitution would not in any way interfere with the operation of thefroller, the only disadvantage being the additional time which would be required iii-mounting the shaft in the frame.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a shaft 25 of uniform diameter throughout. As lan abutment for one end of the spring 15 a washer 26 suitably positioned on the shaft as by detente 27 may be provided. As a second abutment to limit the axial movement of the shaft in one ldirection a series of detente 28 are formed against which a washer may be positioned as indicated in dotted lines.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown a shaft 10 provided with shoulders 11and 12 similar to the shaft in Fig. 1. It is desired however to hold the shaft positively from rotating and hence the ends 13 and 14 are slightly flattened at 30. The openings in the side flanges are corresponding in contour as will appear from Fig. 5 wherein is shown an opening 31 in a side flange which receivesthe flattened end of the shaft 10 and holds it against rotation.

From the foregoing it is apparent that this invention provides, among other features of novelty, a conveyer roller in which the shaft and roller barrel present an integral unit, and in which th-e shaft has a limited axial movement which permits the roller to be quickly and easily removed from or replaced in the conveyer frame as a unit without in anyway interfering with the normal operation of the roller.

IVhile I have shown and described one desirable embodiment of thisinvention I Wish it to be understood that various changes in shape, proportion and arrangement vof parts, in addition to those already mentioned, as Well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made Withoutdeparting from the spirit and scopeof this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: i

l. A conveyer roller unit having in combination bearing-unitssecured to each end of the roller, a. shaft engaged by the bearing vunits and having a free axial movement therein, means limiting the axial movement of the shaft toward one of the bearing units,

and means maintaining the shaft in operative position during the operation of said roller. j

2. A conveyer roller unit having in combination bearing units secured'to each end of the roller, a shaft engaged by the bearing units and having a free axial movement therein, means limiting the axial movement of the shaft toward one of the bearing units, and resilient means maintaining the shaft in operative position during the operation of said roller.

3. A conveyer roller unit having in combination bearing units secured to each end of the roller, a shaft engaged by the bearing units and having a free axial movement therein, means limiting the axial movement of the shaft toward one of the bearing units, and resilient means associated. With the shaft maintaining it in operative position duringy the operation of said roller.

4. A conveyer roller unit having in combination bearing units secured to each end of the roller, a shaft engaged by theV bearing unit-s and having a free axial movement therein, means limiting the axial movement of the shaft toward one of the bearing units, and resilient means associated with the shaft and urging it toward said bearing unit, whereby said shaft is maintained in operative position during the operation of said roller.

5. A` conveyer roller unit having in combination bearing units secured. to each end of the roller, a shaft engaged by the bearing units and having a free axial Amovement therein, an abutment on said shaft limiting the axial movement toward one of the bearing units, and a spring associated with the shaft, said spring urging the shaft toward said bearing unit and maintaining the shaft in operative position during operation ofthe roller.

6. A conveyer roller unit having in combination bearing units secured to each end of the roller, a shaft engaged by the bearing units and having a free axial movement therein, an abutment on said shaft limiting the axial movement toward one of the bearingunits, and afspring carried by the shaft andv coaxial therewith,- said springengaging the other of said bearing units and urging the shaft toward' the first-mentioned bearing unit whereby the shaft is` maintained in operative position during the operation of the roller.

7 A conveyer or roller unit having in combination bearing units secured to each end of the roller, a shaft engaged by the bearing units and Vhaving a free axial movement therein, a shoulder on said shaft adj acent to one end limiting the axial movement toward one -of said bearingunits, a second shoulder on said shaft intermediate the center andthe opposite end thereof, a spring circnmposed about said shaft and engaging. the llast-mentioned shoulder land bearing unit adjacent to said opposite kend, .said spring urging the shaft toward the first-mentioned, bearing unit and maintaining the shaft in operative position during the operation of said roller.y

8. A conveyer roller unit comprising Va roller barrel terminating at its endsl in inte-` gral heads, bearing units secured to said heads, a shaft engaged by said bearing units and having a free axial movement therein, a shoulder on said Vshaftv adjacent to one end limiting the axial movement toward one of said bearings, a second shoulder on saidshaft intermediate the center and the opposite end thereof, a spring circumposed about said shaft and engaging the last-mentioned shoulder and bearing unit adjacent to said opposite end, said spring urging the shaft toward the first-mentioned bearing unit and maintaining the shaft in operativeKL position dury ing the operation of said roller.

9. A conveyer comprising a plurality of removable roller units, each of said roller units comprising a roller barrel, bearing unitssecured to each end of the barrel, a shaft engaged by said bearing units and having a free axial movement therein, means limiting the axial movement of' said shaft toward one of said units, and means maintaining the shaft in operative position during the operation of said roller, and a supporting framev having aligned openings for the reception of the ends of the shafts of said roller units, each of said roller units adapted to be removed from, or inserted in, said sup-porting frame.

10. A conveyer roller, comprising a barrel having an opening at each end thereof, a shaft passed through said openings and having an abutment Which prevents the passage of the shaft through the opening at one end of the roller and a second abutment and a spring engaging said second abutment and the roller and normally tending to hold the shaft With the first abutment in contact with the first mentioned end of the roller.

11. A conveyerroller, comprising a barrel having an -opening at yeach end thereof, a shaft passed through said openings and having a abutment which prevents the passage of the` shaft through the opening at one end of the roller and a second abutment and an expansion spring engaging at its ends the second abutment and the other end of the rollerbarrel and normally tending to hold the shaft with the first abutment in Contact with the first mentionedend of the roller.

- l2. A'eonveyer comprising a plurality of removable roller units, each comprising a 1roller barrel, bearing .units secured to the barrel, a shaft engaged by said units and having a free axial movement therein, means preventing the removal of the shaft from the barrel, and a supporting frame having aligned openings for the reception of the ends of theshafts of the units,` and means for holding the shafts against rotation.

13. A eonveyer comprising a plurality of removable roller units, each comprising a roller barrel, bearing unitssecured to the barrel, a-shaft engaged by said units and having a. free axial movement therein, mea-ns preventing the removal of the shaft from the barrel, and -a supporting frame having aligned non-circular openings for the reception of the ends of the shafts of the units, said ends being so formed that the shafts are held against rotation by the openings.

14. A eonveyer comprising aplurality of removable roller units, each comprising a roller barrel,l bearing units secured to the barrel, a shaft engaged by said units and having a free axialmovement therein, means preventing the removal ofthe shaft from therbarrel, and a supporting frame having aligned openings for the reception of the ends of the shafts of the units, Certain of said openings being non-Circular and the ends of the shafts received in such non-circular openings being so formed that the shafts are held against rotation by such openings.

LAVONT C. ALLEN.

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